English dictionary

antiparallel Meaning & Definition

Q: What is the plural of antiparallel?

The plural of antiparallel is antiparallels.

What Does Antiparallel Mean?

As an adjective, antiparallel means (of vectors) Parallel but in opposite directions. Describing the orientations of the two strands of DNA. Describing two beta strands comprising a protein's secondary structure that are aligned and hydrogen bonded but where the vectors describing the amino- and carboxy-terminal ends of each strand are oriented 180° relative to one another. It can also mean Describing the orientations of the two strands of DNA. As a noun, it means A line that forms equal angles with two other lines, but in opposite directions.

Antiparallel at a Glance

Part of speech	adjective, noun
Synonyms	parallel
Plural	antiparallels

Antiparallel Definition (Adjective)

(of vectors) Parallel but in opposite directions. Describing the orientations of the two strands of DNA. Describing two beta strands comprising a protein's secondary structure that are aligned and hydrogen bonded but where the vectors describing the amino- and carboxy-terminal ends of each strand are oriented 180° relative to one another.
Describing the orientations of the two strands of DNA.
Describing two beta strands comprising a protein's secondary structure that are aligned and hydrogen bonded but where the vectors describing the amino- and carboxy-terminal ends of each strand are oriented 180° relative to one another.

Antiparallel as a Noun

A line that forms equal angles with two other lines, but in opposite directions.

Adjective

Of vectors, parallel but of opposite direction
Describing two beta strands comprising a protein's secondary structure that are aligned and hydrogen bonded but the vector describing the amino- and carboxy-terminal ends of each strand are oriented 180° relative to one another.

Synonyms of Antiparallel

parallel

Antiparallel synonyms and antonyms →

Word Forms & Grammar

antiparallel (not comparable)

antiparallel (plural antiparallels)

Origin of Antiparallel

From anti- + parallel.

Frequently Asked Questions About Antiparallel

Is antiparallel an adjective or a noun?

Antiparallel is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun.

What is another word for antiparallel?

You can replace antiparallel with words such as parallel. See the full list of antiparallel synonyms and antonyms.